The Hermit of the Saco; Story of the White Mountains

Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ...Of goblins, ghosts, and such wild themes as these Stories were told. The frightened authors shook With abject fear, with trembling in their knees, Till stammering tongue the o'erwrought tale forsook As once I tried their picture to portray In wondering group, e'er I a line had done, Like frightened sheep they all had run away And left me but the cook to work upon. Would it were in my power to paint it here, To draw a picture when the master left, A Hogarth vision surely would appear, A group in wonder, of all sense bereft. THEY gather in the kitchen on the hearth Of the great fireplace, massive, broad, and deep, Where oft before they gathered in their mirth, But this night there was neither mirth or sleep. The superstitious had uncanny fears, The boastful were in dread of more than death, Surmised such things as from the weak drew tears, And every word came as with bated breath. So hours flew on, the group around the fire, Drift into story that time may lighter fly, Some that were told them, some experience dire, Some the pure fiction their ambitions try. And I would picture in colors bright, The dingy kitchen, and the great wood fire, The earnest group bathed in its sparkling light, The story teller, of whom none will tire. It was the day before the kitchen range; A cheerful fire was glowing on the hearth, Beneath a crane with hooks and links so strange, I recollect it well back near my birth. The mantle shelf that seemed then very high Brings home strange memories of boyhood days, When for some treasure many schemes I 'd try, Yet unattained the treasure met my gaze. Oh, pardon me these wandering thoughts of home! They come upon us in maturer years, So full of joys wherever we may roam, --The brightest pictures seen...show more